Fishing reel

ABSTRACT

A reel designed primarily for cane pole fishing, the device having a construction which eliminates need to wind the line around the pole for adjusting length when fishing at different depths, one embodiment of the device comprising a housing securable to the fishing pole, a one-piece spool for storing line not in use, a housing end for enclosing the spool within the housing, a spool handle of crank shape and a winged nut for fitting the spool handle through the housing end, spool and spool housing, the spool handle serving to rotate the spool. In another embodiment of the invention, the reel is formed by the engagement of a housing having an annular shoulder adjacent its open end with a unitary spool body having an axle, two flanges and a crank.

United States Patent 1191 Shumate et al.

[ FISHING REEL [76] Inventors: Marvin T. Shumate, 2316 Liverpool,Mesquite, Tex. 75149; Bobby G. Williams, 9551 Crestshire, Dallas, Tex.75217 [22] Filed: Oct. 22, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 191,740

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.26,586, April 8,

l970, abandoned.

[52] U.S. CI. 242/84.] R, 242/845 R [5l] Int. Cl A01k 89/02 [58] Fieldof Search 242/84.l R, 84.1 J,

242/845 R, 84.51 R, 99, I00, 101, 106

[ 1 Jan.8,1974

OTHER PUBLICATIONS I Popular Mechanics, July 1952, page 153 PrimaryExaminerBilly S. Taylor Att0rneyD. Carl Richards et a1.

[ ABSTRACT A reel designed primarily for cane pole fishing, the devicehaving a construction which eliminates need to wind the line around thepole for adjusting length when fishing at different depths, oneembodiment of the device comprising a housing securable to the fishingpole, a one-piece spool for storing line not in use, a housing end forenclosing the spool within the housing, a spool handle of crank shapeand a winged nut for fitting the spool handle through the housing end,

[56] References Cited spool and spool housing, the spool handle servingto UNITED STATES PATENTS rotate the spool. In another embodiment of theinven- 1 554,082 9/1925 Gerould 242/100 UX F i real is formed by the F Pof a hous' 398,805 4/1946 pomeroym 242/99 X lng havmg an annularshoulder ad acent its open end 2,376,407 5/1945 Wells 242/99 with aunitary S9001 y having an axle, IWO flanges 328,34] lO/l885 Roberts242/845 X and a crank. 2,993,66l 7/l96l DArrigo 242/106 1,447,538 5 1923Fullington 242/100 x 2 Clams, 6 Drawlng Flgurfls PAIENTEDJAN 3.784.124

. SHEET 1 OF 2 PAIENTED 3.784.124

SHEEI 2 OF 2 INVE ORS MARVIN 7T SHUMATE BOBBY a. WILLIAMS %lma2 I 5%i/AZMM,

ATTO EYS FISHING REEL This invention relates generally to fishing reels.This is a continuation-in-part to our application Ser. No. 26,586, filedApr. 8, 1970, now abandoned.

A principal purpose of the present invention is to provide a reel thatis designed primarily for cane pole fishing and which is intended toeliminate the necessity to wind the line around the pole so to shortenor unwind as well as lengthen the same for different depths of fishing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reel whichalthough adapted principally for cane pole fishing is however operativeefficiently on a common rod.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reel which makesit possible to reach under low hanging branches without tangling theline therewith.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a reel which issimple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction,easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the presentinvention assembled;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the reelshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the reel of FIG. 3 mounted on afishing pole; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reel embodying the invention mountedon a cane pole; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of FIG. 5, showing the attachment ofeyes to the pole.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 10represents one embodiment of a reel constructed according to the presentinvention wherein there is a housing assembly 11 comprised of a housing12 and a housing end 13 which fit together so as to form a centralenclosure there within and within which a spool 14 is contained.

The housing 12 comprises a generally cylindrical cup configurated case15 which is formed integrally with an elongated base plate 16 that istransversely arcuate as shown at 17 so as to be fitted against thecylindrical side of a cane pole 18. The case includes a cylindrical sidewall 19 and a circular end wall 20 having a central opening 21therethrough.

An opening 22 formed in the cylindrical side wall 19 and formed on afront side thereof serves to dispense and rewind the fishing line thatis wound up on the reel spool 14.

The edge of the cylindrical side wall that is opposite thereof adjacentthe end wall 20 provided an access opening into the interior of thecase, the opening being sufficiently large so that the spool 14 can bereadily fitted there into.

The spool comprises a central cylindrical drum 23 having a flat radiallyoutwardly extending flange 24 at each end thereof so to form a space 25there between and within which the fishing line is wound upon the drum.

A central opening 26 extends through the spool, the opening 26 beingprovided with projections 27 for 2 being fitted into grooves 28 of acrank-shaped spool handle 29.

The housing end 13 comprises a circular plate with a central opening 30therethrough, the circular plate having a circular flange 31 therearound for abutting against the edge of the housing 12 when the housingend is assembled with the housing.

The spool handle 29 is formed with a crank handle knob 32 at one endthereof, the opposite end of the crank-configurated spool handle havinga screw thread 33 which is threadingly engagable with a winged nut 34 ofstandard configuration.

It is to be noted that the spool handle is provided with an integralcollar 35 which abuts with the outer side of the housing end 13. It isalso to be noted that the spool is of a size so as to storeapproximately 40 to 50 feet of number fifteen test mono-filament line.

In assembling the components of the reel, the threaded end of the spoolhandle is fitted through the housing end, the spool, the housing and isthen threadingly fitted to the winged nut, thereby completing theassembly.

The base plate of the reel is secured upon the cane pole in anyconventional manner. The reel may be sold with all attachments forsecurement to the can pole. These include eyelets and-fastening materialas well as band holders so to attach the reel to the pole.

Even though the reel is not designed for use in casting, it can be usedfor short distances, by using it as a fly rod or by using a heavy weightfor bottom fishing.

The reel is simple in construction, having no gears or locks. Drag iscontrolled by pressure applied to the spool by tightening the wingednut, pushing the end of the case against the spool. The reel has onlyone moving part which comprises the spool attached to the spool handle.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thestructure illustrated there is in three pieces, a unitary spool body 40,a housing body 42, and a wing nut 44.

The spool body 40 has integrally formed thereon a spool 46, havingspaced flanges 48 and 50, and a central axle 52, which is provided withexternal threads 54 at one end. A crank 56 is formed on the outer flange48.

The housing body 42 is a one piece member having an arcuate mountingplate 58 and a generally cylindrical hollow housing 60. The housing 60is provided with an aperture 62 through its side wall, and has a closedend 64 with an aperture 65, and an open end. The inner diameter of thehosuing 60 is enlarged adjacent the open end, forming an annularshoulder 66, and an inward facing bearing surface 67.

The reel is assembled by placing the spool 46 into the housing 60through the open end thereof, inserting the threaded end 54 of the axle52 through the aperture 65. Wing nut 44 is placed on axle 52 to retainthe pieces in position.

The diameter of the spool flange 50 is small enough to pass by theannular shoulder 66, but large enough so that it will slidingly confrontthe interior surface of housing 60 adjacent the closed end so that theedge of flange 50 and the housing 60 cooperate as bearing surfaces. Theflange 48 is dimensioned so that it slidingly confronts the annularshoulder 66, and the inward facing bearing surface 67, when the spool 46is fully inserted into the housing 60.

Thus, there are bearing surfaces not only at the point where the axle 52rides in aperture 65, but also at the outer edge of the spool flanges 48and 50. When it is desired to brake the reel against rotation, drag maybe affected on the spool by tightening the nut 44, bringing the flanges48 and 50 into tightened engagement with the shoulder 66 and closed end64, respectively.

The reels illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 may be used on a cane fishing pole asillustrated in FIG. 5. A pole 70 may be fitted with a reel of this typeby taping or otherwise affixing the mounting plate directly onto the rod70. Eyes 72, for guiding the fishing line 74 along the pole may beprovided by similar attachement to the rod 70. The reel may then be usedto adjust the length of the line 74 to the appropriate desired length.The rod and reel may be conveniently arranged for transportation andstorage by reeling in the line 74 until the hook 76 is placed againstthe last eye 72. The reel may then be locked. This greatly simplifiesthe task of transportation and storage of the rod with the line,reducing the possibility of snagging persons or goods with the hook,without having to remove the hook from the: line. it is unnecessary toremove the line from the pole or hook from the line, or to go throughthe cumbersome tasks of winding or unwinding line around the pole.

Having described the invention with certain specific embodimentsthereof, it is to be understood that further modifications may nowsuggest themselves to those skilled in the art and it is intended tocover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended theflange nearer the threaded end of the axle having a diameter smallenough that the flange may be inserted through the open end of thehousing past the annular shoulder, the second flange adapted to slidablyconfront the shoulder and bearing surface when the threaded end of theaxle is placed through the aperture of the closed end of the housing;and

nut means for engaging the threaded end of the axle so that tighteningof the nut means secures the spool body against rotation by engaging thesecond flange with the shoulder.

2. The device .of claim 1, wherein the edge of first flange slidesagainst the wall of the housing, and the first flange confronts theclosed end of the housing so that tightening of the nut causes tightenedengagement of the first flange with the closed end.

1. A fishing reel comprising: a generally cylindrical housing having anopen end and a closed end having a central aperture, the housing havingan outward axially facing annular shoulder formed on its inner surfaceadjacent the open end and a cylindrical bearing surface adjacent theshoulder; a unitary spool body having a crank, an axle with threaded endand a pair of spaced flanges thereon, the flange nearer the threaded endof the axle having a diameter small enough that the flange may beinserted through the open end of the housing past the annular shoulder,the second flange adapted to slidably confront the shoulder and bearingsurface when the threaded end of the axle is placed through the apertureof the closed end of the housing; and nut means for engaging thethreaded end of the axle so that tightening of the nut means secures thespool body against rotation by engaging the second flange with theshoulder.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the edge of first flangeslides against the wall of the housing, and the first flange confrontsthe closed end of the housing so that tightening of the nut causestightened engagement of the first flange with the closed end.